New Year, New Plans: Essential Legal Steps to Consider

Start the year with clarity and peace of mind

The start of a new year often inspires people to get organised and think about the future. Alongside the usual resolutions, it can be a perfect time to review your personal affairs and make sure your legal documents truly reflect your wishes.

At francis george solicitor-advocate, our private client team in Swindon and Witney offers Will writing services to help individuals and families put strong plans in place so they can move forward with confidence.

Why the new year is a good time to review your will

Life changes quickly. New homes, new relationships, children, grandchildren, or a change in your finances can all affect how you want your estate to be managed. A will ensures your wishes are carried out exactly as you intend and can also help limit any potential inheritance tax liability.

You should consider updating your will if:

• You have married, separated, or divorced

• You have welcomed a child or grandchild

• You have bought or sold property

• You have set up a business or changed your financial arrangements

• Your chosen executors or beneficiaries have changed

• It has simply been a long time since you last reviewed it

Our team prepares bespoke wills tailored to your circumstances. If needed, we can arrange home or hospital visits, so you do not have to worry about travelling when you are unwell or have mobility issues.

A clear and up-to-date will protects your loved ones from uncertainty at a difficult time and ensures your assets pass to the people you choose.

Thinking about trusts and inheritance tax

Trusts can be a useful way of managing assets such as money, investments, land, or property for the benefit of others. They can be used to protect vulnerable beneficiaries, provide for children from previous relationships, or help with longer term family planning.

When we prepare a will, we look beyond the basic document and consider whether there may be inheritance tax issues. Where appropriate, we can work alongside independent financial advisers to help you understand and, where possible, mitigate any tax exposure that might arise in the future.

Lasting Powers of Attorney

Another important step for the new year is to think about Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs). These documents allow someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so in the future.

There are two main types of LPA:

• A Health LPA, which allows decisions to be made about your health and care

• A Finances LPA, which allows decisions to be made about your money, property, and day to day finances

Many people assume LPAs are only for older adults, but they are valuable at any age. Illness or accident can happen unexpectedly. Putting an LPA in place now gives reassurance that your affairs will be handled by people you choose, according to your wishes.

If there is no LPA and a loved one loses capacity, your family may need to apply to the Court of Protection for a deputyship order. We can assist with these applications where needed, but putting LPAs in place early is usually simpler, quicker, and less stressful.

Planning for your future care

The new year can also be a good moment to reflect on long term plans. Thinking ahead about care, your home, or future medical decisions may feel difficult, but having these conversations early can spare loved ones from making assumptions later. A few clear instructions now can make a real difference in the future.

 You might want to consider:

• Who you would trust to make decisions if you could not

• Your wishes about medical treatment and care

• Whether you wish to remain at home for as long as possible

• How your finances would be managed if you were unable to do so yourself

 We can talk these issues through with you and help you record your wishes in a clear and sensible way.

Organising important documents

Taking time in January to get your paperwork in order can make life much easier throughout the year.

 Many clients find it helpful to keep key documents in one safe place, such as:

• Your will and any previous versions

• LPA documents

• Insurance policies

• Property deeds

• Pension details

• A simple list of where your accounts and assets are held

At francis george solicitor-advocate we offer free storage for your will and LPA documents, so you can be confident they are safe and can be located quickly if ever needed. You may also wish to let a trusted family member or executor know that we are holding them for you.

Talk to us

Whether you need a brand-new will, an update to an existing one, advice about trusts, or guidance on LPAs, deputyships, and future planning, francis george solicitor-advocate is here to support you with friendly and straightforward advice for Wills, Trusts and Lasting Power of Attorney.

Beginning the year with your legal affairs in order brings peace of mind not only for you but for the people you care about. If you would like to get in touch, our Swindon and Witney team is here whenever you are ready.